The Democratic advocate., 1887-11-26
Select STORY.
THE CLOAK OF TRUTH.

Julian Mdgnus, an the Epoch.
In far-off corner of Eastern India
there lived, in the days when fairies still
visited this earth, little girl whose name
was Yuddi. Her parents were poor and
had to work hard and continuously to gain
even the small amount on which Oriental
laborers are able to support life. Poor
little Yuddi's childhood was not very full
of pleasure. For her were none of the
toys and games that modern skill and in
genuity have fashioned to make the season
of youth enjoyable.
In the cold season Yuddi was occasion
ally sent to a school presided over by wise
old Brahmin, Rhasta, who for few spice, "
as the smallest native coin is called, taught
his pupils as much as their brains could
absorb in the limited time they gave to
study.
Many people think India is land
where great heat prevails the year round.
This is true only of certain of the south
ern parts; but in the north, where there
are some of the highest mountains in the
world, and where farming is carried on in
the valley between lofty hills or upon very
elevated plateaus, the cold in winter, and
during the long "rainy season." is often
intense. Poor Yuddi frequently suffered
much from the bitter weather, her cloth
ing being thin and scanty, while the walls
of the hut and the loosely-ftted doorway
admitted u great deal of frosty air. =
The dearest wish of her heart was for
large, warn cloak, in which she could
brave the cold when she was allowed to go
to school, and wrap herself at night. Often
and often she prayed that such good gift
might be sent to her, for long time in
vain. She had heard a great deal about
Fairies who watched over good children,
yet the one who ought to have attended on
her had never made herself known. With
the sweet, trusting faith of childhood,
Yuddi did not give way to despair, but
only strove to be better girl, believing
that if her guardian had not come, it was
because she had not deserved the boon.
Late one night, after Yuddi had been
asleep for several hours, she was startled
from her slumber by a voice calling in the
sweetest tones she had ever heard
Awake, Yuddi, and see what 1 have
brought thee The child sat up on her
bed of dried riee-leayes, rubbed her aston
ished eyes, which at length showed to her
the most beautiful being she had ever seen.
Yuddi knew at once that it was a Fairy
1t was not however such creature as our
Western writers have told US of, or that
we see in pictures or upon the stage in
pantomimes and spectacular plays. 1t was
not dressed in white gauge, nor did it have
butlerfy-like wings and a magic wand.
No! this was an Indian Fairy with dark
olive-tinted skin, and with bare arms and
feet. Round the body was wound in nu-
merous folds scarf of some many -colored
material, in which shone threads of gold.
The fold fell almost to the knees, below
which appeared loose trousers of semi
transparent silver gauze. Round her wrist
and ankles were massive rings studded with
gems.
A single diamond, brilliant as the
"Kohinoor" itself-Queen Victoria's rich
est jewel-glittered on her forehead, sus-
tanned by narrow fillet of gold. From
this seemed to flow soft light, which
suffused the hut Once, when at a Bazaar,
Yuddi had seen Nautch dancer, who bore
faint resemblance to the Fairy. The
dancer had been, till now, her ideal of
beauty, but she saw at once how surpas-
singly lovely was the present visitor. Yud-
di was not at all frightened, but she glanced
round with some anxiety to see if her par
ents were awake. They were sleeping
soundly, and Yuddi could not help feeling
CAD that she had this lovely being all to
herself.
81 am awake" she said; "what can
Yuddi, the little daughter Of Bi Lings, do
to serve you? ?"
'sNothiug, child" answered the Fairy,
81 am come to serve you. You have longed
for cloak; see, / have brought you one"
and she held up before the girls delighted
gaze the most exquisite garment she had
ever beheld. 1t was of the purest white
lambs wool, and round the collar and edges
were embroidered in letters Of gold some
of the wisest saying of Brahma.' =
''Is that really for me, my very own ?"
cried Yuddi.
ayes my child, if you can keep the con-
ditions of the gift. This is the Cloak of
Truth, and no one must wear it who does
not speak the truth. If the wearer de-
ceives or equivocates, be it ever so little,
the word sFalsi6er' will appear on it in let
ters of flaming scarlet Will you take it
and wear it ?"
Now Yuddi had always been very good
little girl Her mother had taught her
how wicked it was to lie, and the teaching
had gone home. 1t twas not, however, with
out some little tremor that Yuddi answered:
81 will take It, and try to be worthy to
wear it, oh my good Fairy
aThat is well. I hope you will keep it
long. But there are ather conditions to
the gift. If the fatal word appears on it,
you must instantly take it of. Then the
scarlet letters will fade away, and you must
find some one to take it from you. That
aissS,esg !, ,s,. you must watch. Ifhe or she wears
Rev Calvin sd purity all is well; if not, you
can discover proper